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United StatesGuyana’s Candidate Is Aiming to Be the First ‘She’ Secretary-General
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana's permanent representative to the United Nations, presented her candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General during an informal dialogue at the UN General Assembly. She emphasized her vision of leadership as pragmatic and principled, highlighting the need for a leader who can serve as an administrator, peacemaker, mediator, and negotiator. Rodrigues Birkett described herself as prepared for the responsibilities of the role and stressed the importance of equal treatment of the UN's three pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights.
Armenia’s Post-Electoral Path Moves Toward Europe and Away From Russia
Armenia's recent elections have positioned the country on a more direct path toward Europe and away from Russia, according to the article. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his party, Civil Contract, secured a third term in a highly polarized election marked by divisive narratives, pressure on public sector workers, arrests of opposition figures, and allegations of Russian disinformation. International observers described the election as 'calm and well-administered.' Many political analysts and Western nations see Pashinyan's victory as a challenge to Russia's declining influence in the South
The Latest Candidate to Lead the UN Suggests Creating a Crisis-Prevention Hub
María Fernanda Espinosa, a former defense and foreign minister of Ecuador and ex-president of the UN General Assembly, has officially entered the race to become the next UN secretary-general. She participated in a General Assembly informal dialogue on June 15, 2026, where she emphasized the need for the UN to 'rebuild credibility.' Espinosa was nominated by Antigua and Barbuda and is one of several candidates vying for the position.
The UN Chief’s Plan to Ease the Organization’s Cash Crunch
The United Nations is facing a severe liquidity crisis due to delayed or unpaid dues from member states, including the United States. Secretary-General António Guterres has issued warnings about the potential collapse of the organization's operations and proposed a temporary solution based on a decades-old financial rule. However, this measure is seen as only a short-term fix.
[UN: June 12] Geneva’s Secretary-General Debate, World Cup Kicks Off & Lots More
The article discusses various international news items including a new artwork donated to the UN Refugee Agency, the election of five new countries to the UN Security Council, and efforts to combat child labor through education. It also mentions ongoing issues such as blocked Gaza crossings, disability rights progress, and women's rights protests in Afghanistan. Additionally, it references a statement from the U.S. representative to the UN regarding reforms.
Free Education Is Crucial to Combating Child Labor
An article discusses the importance of free education in reducing child labor, using the example of Peter from Liberia who dropped out of school due to financial constraints. It highlights the role of education in protecting children from exploitation and providing them with opportunities to escape poverty.
How the Next UN Chief Can End the Era of Stalled Multilateralism
The article discusses the need for the next United Nations Secretary-General to revive effective multilateral negotiation practices, emphasizing the importance of 'win-win' approaches to address global challenges. It highlights the failure of recent international agreements, such as the plastics treaty talks and the NPT review conference, and suggests that the current candidates for secretary-general have not sufficiently emphasized negotiation in their visions.